Today we have so many more options to offer our patients with dry eye compared to when I entered practice thirty years ago. There have been tremendous advances in research, protocols, products, medications and procedures that finally can be tailored to the unique needs of each individual. That’s good news for patients but with so many products available over the counter and ads about dry eyes it can also be a bit confusing. I want to educate my patients and provide the best treatment options and lasting relief.

What is dry eye?Dry eye is a condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears or produce poor quality tears. The tears function is to lubricate, nourish, and protect the eyes. The tear film is composed of an outer oily layer, a middle watery layer, and an inner mucus layer. These layers are produced by different glands and must be present in proper proportions to have a healthy tear film and comfortable eyes.

How do I know if I have dry eyes? What are the most common signs of dry eye?

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Stinging or burning eyes

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A gritty feeling as if something is in your eye

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Discomfort or difficulty opening your eyes in the morning

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Increased discomfort during or after working on digital devices

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Discomfort while wearing contact lenses

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Increased discomfort later in the day

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Watery eyes or sudden tearing after periods of dryness

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Blurred or fluctuating vision

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Eye pain or redness

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Eye fatigue or heavy eyelids

If you experience two to three of these on a regular or seasonal basis then you probably have dry eye.

What causes dry eye and why is it becoming more common?

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Increased use of digital devices such as cell phones, tablets, and computers. Studies have shown that we blink much less frequently and often incompletely while using these devices.

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Increased use of certain medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, decongestants, and many others that have been shown to reduce the production of tears.

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Increased age, the incidence of dry eye goes up as we age. More people are living longer and therefore we are seeing more people with dry eyes.

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Increased number of people with diabetes which has a greater incidence of dry eye associated with it.

Other factors that contribute to dry eye are:

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Allergies

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Thyroid disease

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Autoimmune diseases

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Hormonal changes in women from pregnancy, birth control pills, and peri/post menopause

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Contact lens use

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Environment (wind, cold temperatures, low humidity)

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Dry indoor heat, air conditioning, ceiling fans

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Certain cosmetics

Why select The Dry Eye Center at Bristol County Eye Care for your dry eye treatment?My experience and interest in the treatment of dry eye and developing the Dry Eye Center comes from helping so many patients over the past 30 years that have dry eye and either didn’t realize it, were self-treating without success, or gave up and thought it was just something they had to live with.

My approach to managing dry eye is to tailor the treatment to the individual with a focus on their symptoms, severity, and lifestyle including occupational and recreational demands. I always start with treatment options that are convenient to use and inexpensive to purchase. If these treatments are unsuccessful then we will replace or add therapies until we reach our goal of healthy and comfortable eyes. This is a methodical step-by-step process with careful emphasis on really listening to the patient and working together with them to find an effective and sustainable treatment plan.

I encourage you to make an appointment for a dry eye evaluation if you are experiencing any eye discomfort or if you think you may have dry eye. With careful attention to detail, good communication and understanding of your condition, I am confident we can make your eyes healthier and more comfortable.